Continually Improving the Campus Recycling (student story)

By Shane Wellnitz

Environmental Science Major

Environmental Task Force President, Eco-Ambassador, Food Recovery Network Vice President

The waste problem:

Most of us at UMBC are proud of our tree filled campus and enjoy the natural environment surrounding our campus.  But to continue enjoying living with a forest between our campus and the surrounding urban area, I believe we must take better care of our waste.  This means using reducing waste, reusing, recycling and composting when available, and not adding trash into bins that are overflowing.  Most people I know at UMBC are proud to dispose of their waste mindfully, but a small group still do things as archaic as littering. As an environmental science major and avid hiker, I know all too well this pollutes our ecosystem, waterways and wildlife habitats.

New recycling bins make it easier:

As an eco-ambassador I have worked with staff on ways to improve our waste management on campus and we have gone to great lengths to continue to improve our program to deal with waste.  The Commons will be the first building on campus with new combined recycling, waste and compost bins standardized throughout the building.  Facilities Management is working to standardize all academic areas’ bins so that the design is consistent throughout the campus using the three slot bins. These bins are made from recycled plastic. These bins are meant to make it easier for us to recycling by making sorting consistent and convenient. The Recycle Across America stickers used to label the bins are our new campus standard as well. You can request one at recycle@umbc.edu

Separating paper recycling:

As students we have the power to make or break the recycling program.  If we just follow simple guidelines we can ensure that this program is cost effective. All dry paper goes into paper recycle bins, because keeping these separate allows us to sell the recyclable paper, earning us rebates that UMBC puts towards the cost of recycling.  

What to Compost, and where:

Did you know the white pepsi cups and clear greenware cups in the Commons are compostable, and other cups go into the co-mingled recycle, which includes plastic, glass and aluminum?

Everything made from plants is compostable. Currently composting is only available in the portable event bins, the Commons, and True Grit. That means any food waste or soiled paper products like napkins can be composted!